Building on its noise-abatement program introduced in 2007, the advisory board at Colorado’s Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (KASE) has released the next phase with a new voluntary program for aircraft operators. Known as the Fly with Integrity Noise Program, this latest evolution is an outshoot of the 2020 ASE Vision Process, which examined how the airport should be modernized to accommodate the Aspen-area’s air service needs and aims to reduce airport-related noise emissions by 30%.

The program will apply to Part 135 and Part 91 operators, as well as airlines, classified according to number of operations. It will use data from a variety of sources—third-party radar data, year-round noise monitoring, and observations from airport and consultant staff, among others.

Operators will be evaluated under a rubric of five compliance measures and three bonus measures, which also will be used to track the success of noise-reduction efforts. The former includes fleet noise quality, high noise events, curfew, measured quiet departure, and noise contour size, while the latter consists of commitment to minimize ground noise, sustainability commitment, and quietest aircraft types.

Its grading system is based on the percentage of compliance, with end-of-year reports issued for each operator. Results will be processed into a 0-100 rating system to demonstrate which operator is the best in each category and how each operator rates. This data will also be published online.

Canada-based Skyservice Business Aviation has expanded its footprint in the U.S. with the opening of a permanent FBO at Napa County Airport (KAPC) in California's wine country. The company began operations from a temporary facility in 2023, making it the second service provider on the field.

The new complex, opened a year after groundbreaking, sits on 15 acres. It features a 12,000-sq-ft, two-story terminal with a passenger lounge, refreshment bar, concierge, massage chair-equipped crew lounge with snooze rooms and showers, flight-planning area, tenant office space, two 12-seat conference rooms, and electric vehicle charging stations. A rooftop restaurant with indoor and outdoor patio seating is slated to open next year.

Occupying 40,000 sq ft, the Titan Aviation Fuels-branded FBO’s hangar is capable of sheltering the latest ultra-long-range business jets. The facility also offers nine acres of ramp for aircraft parking.

“The opening of our Napa facility reflects Skyservice’s deep commitment to the local community and to the future of business aviation in this region,” said Skyservice president and CEO Benjamin Murray. “We’re honored to support the growth and modernization of Napa County Airport and contribute to the region’s continued economic development.”

Collins Aerospace’s FlightAware AeroAPI (application programming interface) can now provide access to flight history back to January 2011. The historical flight tracking data is available for airports, operators, or city pairs.

FlightAware AeroAPI allows users to access history data “to better understand historic trends or refine their search to more detailed queries, generating granular information focused on specific locations, operators, time, and more,” according to Collins Aerospace. To make querying simpler, AeroAPI data is intuitively categorized, the company said, with “advanced filtering options to ensure precision information is generated.”

“In corporate and business aviation, there are few things more critical to our customers' success than timely, accurate, and actionable data," said Nicole White, v-p and general manager of connected aviation at RTX subsidiary Collins Aerospace. “The expansive historical information now available through the FlightAware AeroAPI solution provides users the resources and tools needed to improve performance, efficiency, and preparedness throughout their operations.”

Having experienced strong summer travel demand, European aircraft charter and management provider Axis Aviation analyzed the top destinations chosen by its clients.

Third-quarter fleet movement data showed an uptick in demand for the French Riviera, with Toulon-Hyères and Nice among the most frequented destinations, Axis reported. Paris-Le Bourget also placed highly, confirming France’s position as a leisure and business aviation hub, despite the imposition of a solidarity tax in place on business aircraft flights since March. Other destinations favored by European customers include coastal Mediterranean playgrounds such as Mykonos, Santorini, and Tivat.

Axis also reported strong growth in one-way bookings, particularly for popular transatlantic locations such as New York, Miami, and the Bahamas. Gareth Owen, Axis’ head of charter sales, said its clients also continue to favor long-range jets such as the Gulfstream G650 and G550, which offer the comfort and performance needed for longer routes to destinations such as the Miami and the Middle East.

“Despite ongoing political and economic uncertainty worldwide, charter demand remains strong,” said Axis CEO Kerstin Mumenthaler. “Our clients are seeking both leisure escapes and reliable business connections, with destinations across the Middle East and Southern Africa also accounting for a large proportion of charter flights this summer.”

This reimagined Falcon 900EX is highlighted by several modifications that dramatically transformed the interior and make the aircraft more practical. The new interior is welcoming, comfortable, and incorporates modern functionality and a timeless aesthetic.

John Witzig of Pfizer was named to a second term as chairman of the NBAA board, and Matt Byrd of Hillwood Aviation has taken the role of vice chair/treasurer of the business aviation association.

Witzig and Bryd were among several of those elected during the NBAA board of directors annual meeting last week at NBAA-BACE in Las Vegas. Daniel Baker, founder of FlightAware and currently with BakerVentures, and Tyson Weihs, ForeFlight co-founder and currently with Makana Holdings Management, were each re-elected to three-year terms on the board of directors.

Other moves included a change in the Advisory Council: Bill Dolny of MedAire replaced Weihs as chair; Lannie O’Bannion of Textron Aviation will serve as first vice chair; and Joe Barber of Clay Lacy Aviation is second vice chair. Dolny, O’Bannion, and Barber also will serve as the business member advisors on the NBAA board. 

Ron Duncan, Monte Koch, and Lloyd “Fig” Newton each are returning for another one-year term as chair emeritus, providing mentorship and guidance to directors.

SkyMark Refuelers unveiled the largest aircraft refueler in the U.S. with an all-electric powertrain last week at NBAA-BACE 2025. Launched in combination with World Fuel Services and Clay Lacy Aviation, the 7,000-gallon tanker was delivered to Clay Lacy’s flagship FBO at California’s Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) at the conclusion of the show. It will be used to carry and dispense sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

Doug Wilson, Clay Lacy’s chief business officer for FBOs, noted the irony of FBOs using a fossil-fuel-powered refueler, with its exhaust emissions, to haul and dispense SAF. He added that this was a factor in the company’s decision to acquire the fully electric vehicle.

“Since establishing our sustainability program in 2019, we have continually sought new ways to drive the industry forward and support our company’s environmental goals,” he said. “This impressively engineered refueler sets a new standard in all-electric ground service equipment and allows us to best serve our clients while being a good neighbor to the communities surrounding our airports.”

The vehicle is powered by a 240-kW battery, which SkyMark estimates will supply enough power for it to dispense two full truckloads of fuel and drive 20 miles before requiring an overnight charge. It carries SkyMark’s Gen 2 control system, which provides safety cutoffs and monitors conditions such as battery temperature.

US Aviation Academy is the first flight training organization to place a fleet order for TRU Simulation + Training’s Veris virtual reality (VR) flight simulator. Last week at NBAA-BACE, the training provider placed an order for five TRU Veris simulators that will replicate the Cessna 172, with options for 10 more.

The Veris simulator has been qualified by the FAA as a level-7 flight training device. EASA qualification to level-3 standards is expected later this year, according to TRU Simulation. The advantage of VR in flight simulation is that it eliminates the need for a bulky and expensive visual display system, and the trainee can see the depicted outside world and inside of the aircraft in any direction.

The company’s first simulator is for the Bell 505 helicopter, and it is equipped with a six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform and a full Garmin G1000H avionics suite. The Cessna 172 Veris simulator is built on the same platform and features G1000 NXi avionics. Delivery of the TRU VR simulators to US Aviation Academy will start in 2026.

“We are thrilled to be the launch customer for the Cessna Skyhawk Veris VR simulator,” said Mike Sykes, CEO and founder of US Aviation Academy. “Integrating the Veris into our training programs will greatly elevate the learning experience through its advanced technology, helping future aviators build confidence and competence from day one.”

NATA has named two managers at Signature Aviation who stepped in to help in the aftermath of the January 29 midair collision at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (KDCA) as recipients of its 2025 Industry Excellence Leadership Awards. Adam Cope and Connor Thoreck—the respective general manager and operations manager at Signature Aviation KDCA—are being honored for their “extraordinary leadership every day and particularly during the January 29 air disaster over the Potomac River, which claimed 67 lives,” NATA said.

A 30-year veteran of Signature Aviation, Cope will be recognized with a Leadership Excellence Award for guiding his team as they prepared for emergency response and for coordinating with federal and local agencies to support recovery efforts. “Because of our preparation, we were able to help reopen the airport faster than I thought possible,” Cope said.

Thoreck, who joined Signature in 2022 as a line service technician and was quickly promoted to operations manager, will be recognized with the Future Leader Award for his professionalism and initiative during the crisis as well as daily. “That night showed me the importance of teamwork, preparation, and supporting one another in the hardest of times,” he said.

Cope and Thoreck will be recognized on November 18 during NATA’s 2025 Aviation Business Conference in Dallas.